1.
All-India CPI inflation (base 2024=100) for September 2026 was 5.54% (provisional), up from 4.83% in August. Rural inflation was 6.08% and urban 4.88%; food inflation (CFPI) rose to 7.74%.
Key facts
- CPI inflation, Sep 2026: 5.54% (Aug 2026: 4.83%)
- Rural 6.08%, urban 4.88%
- Food inflation (CFPI): 7.74%; new CPI base year 2024=100
Why it matters for exams: Inflation numbers and the CPI base year are directly asked in banking exams and matter for RBI policy questions.
Practice MCQ
What was all-India CPI inflation (base 2024=100) for September 2026?
- (A) 4.83%
- (B) 5.54%
- (C) 6.08%
- (D) 7.74%
Show answer
Answer: (B) 5.54%. CPI inflation for September 2026 was 5.54% (provisional) (PIB, MoSPI, 12 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (Release ID 2322244), 12 October 2026
2.
The Indian Navy commissioned INS Mangrol (P82), the third Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, on 12 October 2026. It was designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd with over 80% indigenous content.
Key facts
- Ship: INS Mangrol (P82), 3rd Mahe-class ASW Shallow Water Craft
- Commissioned: Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, 12 Oct 2026
- Builder: Cochin Shipyard Ltd; over 80% indigenous content
Why it matters for exams: Commissioned warships, their class and builder are asked in nearly every defence set.
Practice MCQ
INS Mangrol, commissioned on 12 October 2026, was built by which shipyard?
- (A) Cochin Shipyard Ltd
- (B) GRSE
- (C) Mazagon Dock
- (D) Goa Shipyard
Show answer
Answer: (A) Cochin Shipyard Ltd. INS Mangrol was designed and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi (PIB, MoD, 12 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Defence (Release ID 2322494), 12 October 2026
3.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds held the 16th India-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) in New Delhi, the first since negotiations for the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) began in January 2022.
Key facts
- Meeting: 16th India-UK JETCO, New Delhi
- Co-chairs: Piyush Goyal and Jonathan Reynolds
- Context: first JETCO since CETA negotiations began in January 2022
Why it matters for exams: India-UK CETA and trade dialogues are high-priority economy questions.
Practice MCQ
What does CETA stand for in India-UK trade relations?
- (A) Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
- (B) Common Economic and Tariff Agreement
- (C) Combined Export and Trade Accord
- (D) Comprehensive Economic and Technology Agreement
Show answer
Answer: (A) Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA); the 16th JETCO was the first since talks began in January 2022 (PIB, 12 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Commerce & Industry (Release ID 2322384), 12 October 2026
4.
INS Tarkash, a guided missile stealth frigate, is in South Africa for the ninth edition of IBSAMAR 2026, the India-Brazil-South Africa maritime exercise. IBSAMAR has been held biennially since 2008 under the IBSA framework.
Key facts
- Exercise: IBSAMAR IX (India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime), 2026
- Indian ship: INS Tarkash, deployed to South Africa
- Held biennially since 2008 under the IBSA framework
Why it matters for exams: Trilateral exercises and member countries are frequently asked.
Practice MCQ
IBSAMAR is a maritime exercise involving India, Brazil and which other country?
- (A) Australia
- (B) South Africa
- (C) Singapore
- (D) Indonesia
Show answer
Answer: (B) South Africa. IBSAMAR is the India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime exercise, held biennially since 2008 (PIB, MoD, 12 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Defence (Release ID 2322377), 12 October 2026
5.
The India Meteorological Department dedicated a WebGIS-based Cyclone Warning and Marine Weather Services Decision Support System to the nation on 12 October 2026, during its pre-cyclone exercise meeting for the post-monsoon season, chaired by IMD Director General Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.
Key facts
- System: Cyclone Warning and Marine Weather Services Decision Support System (WebGIS)
- Launched: 12 Oct 2026, at the pre-cyclone exercise meeting (post-monsoon season)
- IMD DG: Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra (also 3rd Vice President of WMO)
Why it matters for exams: IMD tools and its leadership are asked in science and disaster management sections.
Practice MCQ
Who chaired the IMD meeting at which the Cyclone Warning Decision Support System was launched in October 2026?
- (A) M. Ravichandran
- (B) Mrutyunjay Mohapatra
- (C) T. Srinivasa Kumar
- (D) K. J. Ramesh
Show answer
Answer: (B) Mrutyunjay Mohapatra. The meeting was chaired by Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology (PIB, MoES, 12 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Earth Sciences (Release ID 2322562), 12 October 2026
6.
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the new office of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) at 55 Lodhi Estate, New Delhi, on 12 October 2026. IBCA's Director General Dr S. P. Yadav presented its activities.
Key facts
- Body: International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
- New office: 55 Lodhi Estate, New Delhi (12 Oct 2026)
- Director General: Dr S. P. Yadav
Why it matters for exams: India-led alliances (IBCA, ISA, CDRI, GBA) and their headquarters are frequently asked.
Practice MCQ
Where is the new office of the International Big Cat Alliance, inaugurated in October 2026?
- (A) Bhopal
- (B) New Delhi
- (C) Dehradun
- (D) Nagpur
Show answer
Answer: (B) New Delhi. The new IBCA office is at 55 Lodhi Estate, New Delhi (PIB, MoEFCC, 12 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Release ID 2322416), 12 October 2026
7.
The Research, Development and Innovation Fund announced its first cohort of 19 Second Level Fund Managers: 14 Alternative Investment Funds and 5 Focused Research Organisations, approved by the Empowered Group of Secretaries on 8 October 2026 with a total RDIF commitment of Rs 7,131 crore.
Key facts
- Fund: Research, Development and Innovation Fund (Rs 1 lakh crore), launched Nov 2025
- First cohort: 19 Second Level Fund Managers (14 AIFs + 5 FROs)
- RDIF commitment: Rs 7,131 crore
Why it matters for exams: The RDI scheme is a major new fund and its structure is likely in banking and economy questions.
Practice MCQ
How many Second Level Fund Managers were in the first cohort announced under the RDI Fund in October 2026?
- (A) 14
- (B) 19
- (C) 25
- (D) 50
Show answer
Answer: (B) 19. The first cohort has 19 SLFMs: 14 AIFs and 5 FROs (PIB, DST, 12 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Science & Technology (Release ID 2322295), 12 October 2026
8.
The Indian Army launched 'Bharat Rice' for the defence forces in New Delhi on 12 October 2026, in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Food Minister Pralhad Joshi. The rice will be delivered directly to Army Supply Depots, including in Ladakh and the North East, and the Army signed an MoU with FCI to use its infrastructure in contingencies.
Key facts
- Initiative: 'Bharat Rice' for defence forces
- Delivered directly to Army Supply Depots, incl. Ladakh and the North East
- MoU: Indian Army and Food Corporation of India (FCI)
Why it matters for exams: Army-FCI logistics links food security with defence, a cross-topic GA question.
Practice MCQ
With which organisation did the Indian Army sign an MoU at the launch of 'Bharat Rice' in October 2026?
- (A) NAFED
- (B) Food Corporation of India
- (C) Kendriya Bhandar
- (D) Central Warehousing Corporation
Show answer
Answer: (B) Food Corporation of India. The Army signed an MoU with the Food Corporation of India (PIB, MoD, 12 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Defence (Release ID 2322149), 12 October 2026
